Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell is mobbed by fans after a four-yard touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in December in Cleveland.
Associated Press file

Week 1 >> Steelers at Browns

When >> 1 p.m., Sept. 10

Where >> FirstEnergy Stadium

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Steelers lead, 70-68

The lowdown >> The Browns haven’t won their first game since 2004, and that 20-3 victory over the Ravens is their only season opening victory of the expansion era. ... Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is 21-2 as a starting quarterback against the Browns, with 35 career touchdown passes, 17 interceptions thrown and a 95.8 career passer rating. He is 10-0 against the Browns in Cleveland. ... The Steelers are 9.5-point favorites, according to VegasInsider.com

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Schudel’s take >> Rookie defensive end Myles Garrett put some spice in this lopsided rivalry when he announced plans to sack Roethlisberger in his first NFL game. ... Running back Isaiah Crowell needs to have a big game so the Browns can control the clock. They won’t win a track meet with the Steelers.

Prediction >> Steelers 24, Browns 16

Week 2 >> Browns at Ravens

When >> 1 p.m., Sept. 17

Where >> M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Ravens lead, 27-9

The lowdown >> John Harbaugh is in his 10th season as Ravens head coach, and for the first time in his career, he’s starting to feel some heat from fans and team owner Steve Biscotti. The Ravens have missed the playoffs three of the last four years since winning Super Bowl XVII. They are 31-33 over that span. Still, the Browns are just 2-16 against the Ravens since Baltimore drafted quarterback Joe Flacco in 2008.

Schudel’s take >> It’s hard to believe this is already the 22nd season the former Browns are playing in Baltimore. ... Flacco is going to test the Browns secondary with Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin as targets. ... Browns middle linebacker Christian Kirksey versus Ravens running back Terrance West is a matchup to watch.

Prediction >> Ravens 20, Browns 13

Week 3 >> Browns at Colts

When >> 1 p.m., Sept. 24

Where >> Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Browns lead, 15-14

The lowdown >> Colts quarterback Andrew Luck underwent shoulder surgery in mid-January. He did not throw the ball in minicamp and training camp is iffy, but he is expected to be ready for the opener. ... First-year general manager Chris Ballard has started a youth movement that could mean a dozen new starters.

Schudel’s take >> The Colts were 30th in the league in defense in 2016, which means even with an entire preseason and two regular season games played, new players will still be learning when they host the Browns. ... The Browns are 1-7 against the Colts since 1999, but their only win against them did come in Indianapolis in 2011. ... The surface of Lucas Oil Stadium is FieldTurf, making this a good time to feature rookie tight end David Njoku.

Prediction >> Browns 27, Colts 20

Week 4 >> Bengals at Browns

When >> 1 p.m., Oct. 1

Where >> FirstEnergy Stadium

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Bengals lead, 48-39

The lowdown >> The Bengals are looking for a bounce-back year after finishing 6-9-1 last year. The good news for Cincinnati is wide receiver A.J. Green (hamstring) and tight end Tyler Eifert (ankle, back) have healed from injuries that hampered them a year ago. The bad news is the offensive line took a hit when right guard Kevin Zeitler signed with the Browns and left tackle Andrew Whitworth signed with the Rams.

Schudel’s take >> The Browns can win Round 1 in the Battle of Ohio if they pressure Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton’s passer rating under pressure last year was 43.9. ... The Browns haven’t beaten the Bengals at home since Rob Chudzinski was head coach in 2013.

Prediction >> Browns 24, Bengals 13

Game 5 >> Jets at Browns

When >> 1 p.m., Oct. 8

Where >> FirstEnergy Stadium

Television >> WJW

Series history >> Browns lead, 12-11

The lowdown >> This could be a battle of the bums if the Browns don’t sneak a win or two in the first quarter of the season. The Jets, 5-11 a year ago, like the Browns, are looking for a quarterback. Christian Hackenberg is the likely starter, and the Jets have former Browns QB Josh McCown in reserve just in case. ... The Jets drafted safety Jamal Adams in the first round and Markus Maye in the first round, but cornerback is a mess.

Schudel’s take >> The Browns should be favored by about five points to win this game. ... Hackenberg is inexperienced and, if McCown is playing by the time these teams meet, Garrett can have him for breakfast, lunch and dinner. ... The Browns suspect secondary should dominate now that Brandon Marshall (Giants) and Eric Decker (Titans) no longer play for the Jets.

Prediction >> Browns 31, Jets 17

Week 6 >> Browns at Texans

When >> 1 p.m., Oct. 15

Where >> NRG Stadium, Houston

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Texans lead, 5-3

The lowdown >> This game doesn’t need any buildup. The Browns had the 12th pick in 2017 and traded it to Houston. The Texans used it on former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who could be starting by the sixth week. ... The Texans won the AFC South last year at 9-7. ... They were 5-0 in games decided by five or fewer points. Sometimes teams that live on the edge one year fall off it the next.

Schudel’s take >> The Browns’ upgraded offensive line faces one of its toughest tests of the season — J.J. Watt. Watt was derailed by a back injury last year, but has recovered and is raring to go. ... What a difference a week makes. After what should be a relatively easy Sunday against the Jets receivers, the Browns must deal with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller.

Prediction >> Texans 29, Browns 10

Week 7 >> Titans at Browns

When >> 1 p.m., Oct. 22

Where >> FirstEnergy Stadium

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Browns lead, 35-29

The lowdown >> The Titans, 9-7 last season, are poised to make a run at the AFC South title as Marcus Mariota enters his third season at quarterback. He threw 26 touchdowns to just nine interceptions last year but was only 8-7 as a starter. ... Tight end Delanie Walker caught only one pass for 28 yards against the Browns last year, but he is capable of much more than that. ... The Titans were second in the NFL in run defense last year, and there is no reason to expect anything different this year.

Schudel’s take >> The Browns have to be opportunistic and win the field position battle — always a goal but especially against the Titans, who can unleash pass rushers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan if their run defense puts them in third-and-long situations. ... Nose tackle Danny Shelton is going to be a busy man trying to slow running backs DeMarco Murray (1,287 yards rushing) and Derrick Henry (490 yards rushing) last season.

Prediction >> Titans 26, Browns 17

Week 8 >> Vikings vs. Browns

When >> 9:30 a.m., Oct. 29

Where >> Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Television >> NFL Network

Series history >> Vikings lead, 10-4

The lowdown >> This game in London, the first for the Browns in the regular season in franchise history, is technically a home game. ... Former Browns head coach Pat Shurmur is the Vikings offensive coordinator. He took over in midseason last year from Norv Turner. Shurmur turned Sam Bradford into a dink-and-dunk quarterback, and that’s what the Browns can expect. Bradford completed 71.6 percent of his passes last year, but his yards per attempt was only 7.0. Cody Kessler’s was 7.08.

Schudel’s take >> Teams do not like breaking their normal routine to play in London, but Hue Jackson has the experience to keep the Browns focused. ... Tight ends have given the Browns nightmares in the past. Jabrill Peppers or whoever gets the assignment will have his hands full with Kyle Rudolph (83 catches last year).

Prediction >> Browns 17, Vikings 13

Week 9 >> Bye

When >> Nov. 5

Week 10 >> Browns at Lions

When >> 1 p.m., Nov. 12

Where >> Ford Field, Detroit

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Lions lead, 15-4

The lowdown >> The Browns haven’t beaten the Lions since 2001. They last won in Detroit in 1983. ... The Lions made the playoffs as a wild card team at 9-7 last year, but they had some luck on their side. They were 5-2 in games decided by three or fewer points. ... Matthew Stafford is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he doesn’t get much help from a feeble running game. The Lions were 30th in the league last year in rushing.

Schudel’s take >> If the Browns are going to make a switch to DeShone Kizer in 2017, now is the time. The bye week will give the coaches more time to adapt a game plan to the rookie’s skill set, and Kizer wouldn’t mind spending his time off studying the Lions if he gets the opportunity. ... Myles Garrett’s first step on FieldTurf is going to be a challenge for the Lions’ offensive line.

Prediction >> Lions 24, Browns 20

Week 11 >> Jaguars at Browns

When >> 1 p.m., Nov. 19

Where >> FirstEnergy Stadium

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Jaguars lead, 11-5

The lowdown >> Pat Shurmur’s last victory as Browns head coach was against the Jaguars — 20-14 on Nov. 20, 2011, at Cleveland Browns Stadium. ... The Jaguars haven’t finished above .500 since they were 11-5 in 2007. That was also the last year the Browns finished above .500 (10-6). ... The Jaguars want to build their offense around rookie running back Leonard Fournette.

Schudel’s take >> The Jaguars are Exhibit A of what happens to a team when it spends a high pick on a quarterback (Blake Bortles) and leadership isn’t 100 percent behind that quarterback. The Jaguars picked Bortles third overall in 2014. ... The Browns allowed an average of 4.6 yards per carry last year. Fournette will make it a long day for the defense if that number doesn’t improve in the first two months of the season.

Prediction >> Browns 27, Jaguars 17

Week 12 >> Browns at Bengals

When >> 1 p.m., Nov. 26

Where >> Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati

Television >> WOIO

The lowdown >> This is the Bengals’ 50th anniversary season. The celebration will be in full swing by the time the Browns hit Cincinnati the Sunday after Thanksgiving. ... For some inexplicable reason, Browns cornerback Joe Haden has more success against the Bengals’ A.J. Green than other top receivers in the league. ... The Bengals missed Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator in 2016 — they finished 24th in points scored.

Schudel’s take >> The Browns’ 24-3 victory over the Bengals on Nov. 6, 2014, in Cincinnati was their third straight that season. Since then they are 5-34. ... The Browns can silence the Bengals crowd with a grinding ground game led by Isaiah Crowell, who will be gunning for 1,000 yards in his contract season.

Prediction >> Bengals 30, Browns 20

Week 13 >> Browns at Chargers

When >> 4 p.m., Dec. 3

Where >> StubHub Center, Los Angeles

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Chargers lead, 16-8-1

The lowdown >> The Chargers are playing their home games in Los Angeles for the first time since 1960. They were there one year before moving to San Diego in 1961. ... The Chargers are the answer to the trivia question, “Which is the only team the Browns beat in 2016?” The Browns won, 20-17, thanks to Jamie Meder blocking a field goal try by Josh Lambo in the third quarter and Lambo missing a 45-yard try as time expired.

Schudel’s take >> Philip Rivers threw more interceptions — 21 — than any quarterback in the league last year. The Browns should benefit from a stronger pass rush if that trend continues for Rivers in 2017. ... The Chargers are switching to a 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. That’s going to make left defensive end Joey Bosa even more difficult for right tackle Shon Coleman to block.

Prediction >> Chargers 20, Browns 14

Week 14 >> Packers at Browns

When >> 1 p.m., Dec. 10

Where >> FirstEnergy Stadium

Television >> WJW

Series history >> Packers lead, 12-7

The lowdown >> Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has faced the Browns twice and beaten them both times. ... The Browns are 5-24 in December since winning their last four games in 2009. ... The Packers were blown out, 44-21, by Atlanta in the NFC Championship last year, so Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson wisely spent his first four draft picks on defensive players. Cornerback Kevin King and safety Josh Jones were the top two.

Schudel’s take >> The Browns are not going to win a shootout with Rodgers, so, once again, slowing things down with a strong running game gives them the best chance to pull an upset, especially if Kizer is working out the kinks of being a starting rookie quarterback. ... The Packers are going to miss running back Eddie Lacy, who signed with Seattle after dealing with ankle injuries last season.

Prediction >> Packers 31, Browns 13

Week 15 >> Ravens at Browns

When >> 1 p.m., Dec. 17

Where >> FirstEnergy Stadium

Television >> WOIO

The lowdown >> Former Browns tight end Ozzie Newsome became the first African-American general manager in the NFL when he was named Ravens G.M. by the late Art Modell on Nov. 22, 2002. ... Quarterback Joe Flacco is 83-55 as a starting quarterback in the regular season, yet he has never been voted to the Pro Bowl. ... Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is 16 of 20 on field goal attempts against the Browns.

Schudel’s take >> Tight end Seth DeValve is a player easy to overlook after drafting David Njoku in the first round in May, but DeValve could be like a stealth bomber in Hue Jackson’s offense. He had seven of his 10 receptions in the final five games last year. ... The Ravens plan to be aggressive defensively, so screen passes to Duke Johnson could make Baltimore think twice about an all-out pass rush.

Prediction >> Ravens 34, Browns 20

Week 16 >> Browns at Bears

When >> 1 p.m., Dec. 24

Where >> Soldier Field, Chicago

Television >> WOIO

Series history >> Browns lead, 9-6

The lowdown >> The Bears traded up with the 49ers from the third slot for the second pick in the draft to select former Mentor High School quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Mike Glennon is penciled in as the Bears starting quarterback for the season opener, but Trubisky could be at the helm by the 15th game of the season. The Browns might live to regret passing on Trubisky to select Myles Garrett, but, unlike in 2004 when they drafted tight end Kellen Winslow and the Steelers took Ben Roethlisberger, the Browns will have to face Trubisky only once every four years.

Schudel’s take >> The Bears starter, whoever it ends up being, is not going to have a strong supporting cast. Alshon Jeffery is gone after signing a one-year contract with the Eagles. The Browns can take advantage of that by double-teaming Cameron Meredith, who made 66 catches last year. ... Bears outside linebackers Leonard Floyd and Akiem Hicks combines for 14.5 sacks last year.

Prediction >> Bears 23, Browns 20

Week 17 >> Browns at Steelers

When >> 1 p.m., Dec. 31

Where >> Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

Television >> WOIO

The lowdown >> Playing the final game of the season against the Steelers could be dramatic if the Browns ever get competitive, but until then it is an easy way for Pittsburgh to coast into the playoffs. This will mark the sixth time in the last seven years the Browns and Steelers will meet in the final regular season game. ... Steelers running back Le’veon Bell is making $12.1 million this season as the team’s franchise tag player because they couldn’t come to an agreement on a long-term contract.

Schudel’s take >> Earlier it was mentioned that Browns cornerback Joe Haden has had modest success against Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green. That isn’t the case with Steelers receiver Antonio Brown. Brown has 75 catches for 1,130 yards in 11 games against the Browns. Most of them have been against Haden. ... This game could be the last time Browns left tackle Joe Thomas has to go one-on-one with Steelers ageless linebacker James Harrison. Harrison has 6.5 career sacks against the Browns — not all against Thomas. For comparison, he has nine sacks against the Bengals and 16 against the Ravens.